KIGALI - The police officers dismissed recently were accused of corruption and other unethical conduct, police said yesterday.

The announcement follows last week’s firing of 54 police officers by a Cabinet meeting.

Police Spokesperson, Theos Badege said that some of the officers were discharged because they were corrupt or flouted police regulations.

"Corruption is the major reason why these officers were expelled from the force,” Badege said in a telephone interview.

"But there are those sacked because of other misconduct such as drinking while on duty and mishandling of exhibits. This is an annual exercise to weed out those who go against police ethical conduct,” he added.

Any police officer found guilty of an offence is handed a prison sentence above six months besides being automatically sacked from the force.

According to the police code of conduct, any officer also found guilty of an offence by the Police Disciplinary Committee, that goes beyond a four-month sentence, is also dismissed from the force.

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